… So You Might as well be Delicious (and Healthy!) … Three Salad Recipes to Bring the Bright Flavors of Summer into Fall
By Brooke Wasowicz
The summer heat might be winding down, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy those bright summer flavors well into the fall season. At Rafter Eleven, our absolute favorite way to incorporate light and tasty flavors into cooking is with our naturally infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars. The simplest way to do this is to create a one-of-a-kind vinaigrette with all your favorite flavors. With more than 20 balsamic vinegars and olive oils to choose from, you’re bound to find a flavor profile you love for your salad. If you’re not sure what kind of salad or dressing to make, we’ve got you covered.
These are a few of our favorite healthy summer salads, splashed with fresh olive oils and barrel-aged balsamics that you can throw together in no time … and that will taste like you spent all day preparing!
The Asian Avo Salad
Choose your greens and remember something with a little crunch will bring this salad to life. Think shredded carrots or even a coleslaw base. Add cooked shrimp and a generous amount of sliced avocado, and finish with Persian Lime Olive Oil and a Honey Ginger Balsamic for a bright Asian fusion flavor.
The Savory Scallop Salad
Start by marinating your scallops in Wild Rosemary Olive Oil and Sicilian Lemon Balsamic Vinegar for at least an hour. Throw those on the grill and prepare a bed of fresh spinach and chopped Bermuda onions. Lay your succulent scallops on top and complete with a drizzle of Tuscan Herb Olive Oil and 18-Year Aged Balsamic Vinegar.
The White Basil Salad
Combine butter lettuce, purple ruffle lettuce, and arugula for your salad base. For a creamy addition, sprinkle with goat cheese and add toasted candied pecans for a slightly sweet component. Combine Basil Olive Oil and White Gravenstein Apple Balsamic Vinegar for your dressing and enjoy with a crack or two of black pepper!
Being healthy doesn’t have to be hard or even expensive! With just a dash of oil and vinegar you can make any dish pop. Salads are a great place to start when experimenting with different olive oil and balsamic vinegar combos, but they’re also great for marinades and on pastas. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated and we love to share our easy gourmet recipe ideas with you! Come by Rafter Eleven for some cooking inspiration any time. Our employees love to share their favorite flavor combos. Bring this article in for 20 percent off your purchase of full-sized olive oils and balsamic vinegars through the end of November.
Rafter Eleven is at 2985 N. Centre Court, in Prescott Valley. For more information call 928.227.2050 or visit www.raftereleven.com.